Quiz: Howstuffworks

Do you remember the Alamo? Prove it!

Jaclyn Lavine

Image: The Alamo Company United Artists Batjac Productions

About This Quiz

The Alamo: Davey Crockett and the coonskin hat. If this is all you know about the Alamo, then this quiz is not for you! On the other hand, do you know the history of Texas? Did you love the 1960 film, "The Alamo"? Test your Texan knowledge and take this quiz!

Which famed frontiersman helped to hold down the Alamo?

Santa Ana

Andrew Jackson

Davy Crocket

William B. Travis

Known as the "King of the Wild Frontier," David "Davy" Crockett is arguably the most famous folk hero to come out of the Battle of the Alamo. Crockett was a nemesis to President Andrew Jackson and opposed him on such policies as the Indian Removal Act. During his lifetime, stage plays were written and performed about his life. Crockett died during the Battle of the Alamo, but he lived on in popular culture through movies and television shows about his life.

What town was the Alamo located in?

Houston

San Antonio de Béxar

Memphis

Austin

San Antonio not only housed the mission, but it was also a center of commerce. At one point it was even considered the capital of Texas. The city would be witness to two battles during the Texas Revolution - the Battle of the Alamo and the Siege and Battle of Bexar.

What was the Alamo?

A valley in Texas

A city in California

A city in Mexico

Former Franciscan mission

The Alamo was a former Franciscan mission, located near present-day San Antonio. During the Texas war for independence from Mexico, the Alamo was used as a fort by a group of Texan volunteer soldiers.

What was the name of the former Franciscan mission?

Mission San Francisco de la Espada

Mission San Jose de los Nazonis

Cathedral Tower

Mission San Antonio de Valero

Spanish settlers were responsible for building the Mission San Antonio de Valero, which was named for St. Anthony of Padua and the Marquis de Valero. It remained a mission for roughly 70 years.

Who renamed the mission "El Alamo"?

Spanish military troops

American military troops

French military troops

British military troops

During the early 1800s, Spanish military troops began occupying the former mission. The mission was located next to a grove of cottonwood trees. "El Alamo" is the word for cottonwood in Spanish and was also used to refer to the mission in honor of the military's hometown of Alamo de Parras, Mexico.

When did the Texas war for independence from Mexico begin?

October 1835

April 1987

February 1492

June 1935

The Texas war for independence from Mexico began on October 2, 1835. Trouble between American settlers in Texas and the Mexican government had been brewing as the population of Americans grew. In October 1835, hostilities erupted and the war began.

What was a "Texian"?

Only Spanish-speaking settlers in Texas

Only English-speaking settlers in Texas

Both Spanish- and English-speaking settlers in Texas

Dutch-speaking settlers in Texas

Texian was the term used to refer to residents living in Mexico-controlled Texas. After the annexation of Texas by the U.S. in 1845, residents living in the U.S. state of Texas became known as Texans.

Who led the Mexican army?

Thomas Jefferson

Sam Houston

Santa Anna

Andrew Jackson

In February, four months after the start of the battle, the Mexican army arrived in Texas. Led by Santa Anna, the army marched to retake the Alamo. Interestingly, Santa Anna served as the president of Mexico eleven different times.

What was Santa Anna’s nickname?

"The Rascal"

"The Friar"

"The Benevolent"

“The Napoleon of the West”

Santa Anna was the most prominent Mexican politician and general of his time. Santa Anna vowed to retake Texas to avenge Mexico’s honor. He was ruthless, ordering that any survivors be immediately executed.

Who led the Texian resistance?

Santa Anna

William B. Travis

Andrew Jackson

Margaret Thatcher

William B. Travis became the leader of the Texian resistance when Colonel Bowie collapsed from illness. He then wrote the famous letter, “To the People of Texas & All Americans in the World,” which played an integral role in Americans volunteering to fight for Texas.

How long did the Texians hold the Alamo?

1 month

13 days

1 year

9 months

Despite being incredibly outnumbered, the Texians were able to hold the Alamo for 13 days. According to legend, William Travis drew a line in the sand on March 4, urging men who wanted to stay and fight to cross that line.

When did Davy Crockett die?

Before the battle began

1 year after the battle

During the Battle of the Alamo

10 years after the battle

David “Davy” Crockett, an American folk hero, died fighting out in the open and unprotected except for a few of his remaining men. He died on the battlefield at age 49.

How long did the final assault last?

3 hours

1 day

30 minutes

90 minutes

In just 90 minutes, the Mexican forces took down the Texians and took the Alamo. All involved in the battle were killed or taken prisoner, only to be executed.

What was the “Runaway Scrape”?

A scrape you get on your knee from falling on cement when running

The time after the battle when all Texians fled eastward to avoid the Mexican army

When the Mexican army ran away from the battle

When Santa Anna fell and scraped his knee, mid-battle

Immediately after the battle, the members of the Republic of Texas, the army and much of the civilian population escaped eastward.

What was one major consequence of the Battle of the Alamo?

Mexicans moved out of Texas forever.

Americans were disappointed in the Texans and wanted nothing to do with them.

More Texians and Americans joined the fight against Mexican forces.

The Alamo was destroyed.

The cruelty led by Santa Anna that ensued after the defeat at the Alamo, as well as the bravery of the men who defended the Alamo, led many more Texians and Americans to volunteer for the Texan cause. The new volunteers would help lead the Texans to victory on April 21, 1836, against the Mexicans.

What does “Remember the Alamo!” mean?

The phrase must be used every year on the anniversary of the battle.

Students should always learn about the Alamo in history class.

It was the phrase used by Colonel Travis, which meant, "line in the sand."

A phrase used by Texians during the battle for independence, which meant, "don't forget the Alamo, keep fighting for Texas!"

During the battle that took place on April 21, 1836, the Texan forces were heard screaming, “Remember the Alamo!” This battle cry helped the Texan army of 900 men defeat the Mexican army of 1,300 men.

Why was the actual reason Sam Houston sent Jim Bowie to The Alamo?

To destroy the structure known as the Alamo.

To set up a castle in which he would live.

To return the building to its original function as a mission.

None of the above.

Sam Houston thought that holding the city of San Antonio was a waste of time. He sent Jim Bowie to the Alamo to destroy it, but Bowie had other ideas. Instead, Bowie and his men ignored orders and hid out behind the fort’s defenses.

What happened to Santa Anna?

He ran away during the battle.

He died on the battlefield.

He was captured during the April 21st battle.

He was executed.

Santa Anna was captured during the last battle San Jacinto. After his captivity with the Texan rebels, Santa Anna returned to Mexico, where he became the head of the Mexican government several more times. Years after he was overthrown for the last time, he died in poverty at the age of 82.

Which president was in office during the time of the battle?

George Washington

Thomas Jefferson

George W. Bush

Andrew Jackson

Andrew Jackson was the 7th president in office. He began his term in 1829 and remained until 1837.

Who was selected as the Commander-in-Chief of the Texas Army in 1835?

Sam Houston

William B. Travis

Santa Anna

Andrew Jackson

Sam Houston was the governor of Tennessee before moving to Texas in 1832. Once in Texas, Houston joined the conflict between American Texans and the local Mexican government. In 1835, Houston became the Commander-in-Chief of the Texas Army.

Who was William B. Travis?

A colonel for the Mexican army during the Alamo

The president of Texas

The President of Mexico

Lieutenant Colonel of the Texan Army

William Travis was an American lawyer and soldier. At the age of 26, he became a lieutenant colonel in the Texas Army. He died in the Battle of the Alamo and is most famous for the letter he wrote from the Alamo entitled, “To the People of Texas & all Americans in the World.” In the now-famous letter, said he would, “never surrender or retreat.”

When was the Texas Declaration of Independence signed and the Republic of Texas declared?

June 20, 1935

April 2, 1736

March 2, 1836

October 8, 2000

The Texas Declaration of Independence was signed on March 2, 1836, and the Republic of Texas was declared independent. The men fighting to defend the Alamo were not aware of what was happening.

What did William Travis tell his troops when defeat seemed imminent?

That they were free to leave

To stay and fight

That a death on the battlefield would make them a hero

To change sides and fight for the Mexicans

The Battle of the Alamo is remembered largely because of the brave men that stayed to fight when the odds were not in their favor. William Travis, aware of the fact that they were outnumbered and that relief might not come, told his troops that they were free to leave. Instead, the troops chose to stay and fight bravely alongside their commander.

What was the Peace Treaty of Velasco?

A treaty between the Mexicans and the Spaniards.

A treaty between the French and the Texans.

A treaty signed by Andrew Jackson and Santa Anna.

The treaty signed after the final April 21 battle.

After the Mexican defeat at the battle, the captured Santa Anna and the Republic of Texas signed the Peace Treaty of Velasco. The Mexican army was forced to cross the Rio Grande, back into Mexico.

What is a "Tejano"?

French person born in Texas

Mexican person born in Texas

British person born in Texas

Cuban born in Texas

Most Tejanos were loyal to the Texans. After the Battle of the Alamo, Santa Anna had all survivors executed, including Tejanos.

Which famous actor portrayed Davy Crockett in the 1960 film, "The Alamo"?

John Wayne

Frank Sinatra

Gary Grant

Elvis Presley

John Wayne directed, produced and starred in the 1960 film, "The Alamo." John Wayne portrayed Davy Crockett alongside costars Richard Widmark as Jim Bowie and Lawrence Harvey as William B. Travis.

Which type of hat is synonymous with Davy Crockett?

Scullcap

Fedora

Coonskin

Top hat

No one knows for sure if Crockett wore a coonskin hat, but Hollywood's portrayals of the character have always included this iconic hat. Family members and claims from some of the few survivors of the Alamo, describe Crocket as wearing buckskins and a coonskin cap.

How many survivors of the Alamo were there?

0

1

8

15

Although there is some controversy surrounding the number, there were thought to be 15 survivors. Most of the survivors were women, children, servants and slaves.

What were the causes of the Texas Revolution?

Slavery

Religion

Judicial system

All of the above

English-speaking Texans refused to speak Spanish. Mexican residents were Catholic, while American Texans were not. American Texans also did not agree with Mexico's judicial system, which followed the idea that men are "guilty until proven innocent" versus the American belief that men are "innocent until proven guilty." And finally, Mexicans opposed slavery, whereas American's believed slavery was a way of life. These three reasons just skim the surface of a long list of differences that contributed to the revolution.

Which Alamo anniversary was celebrated in March of 2017?

181st anniversary

20th anniversary

205th anniversary

120th anniversary

March 2017 marked the 181st anniversary of the Battle of the Alamo. The occasion was celebrated at the Alamo with a Fiddle Fest, a living history event, the "Bowie: Man-Knife-Legend" exhibit, a ceremony at dusk, and a 5K run in Austin, Texas.

Sponsored Links

About HowStuffWorks Play

How much do you know about dinosaurs? What is an octane rating? And how do you use a proper noun? Lucky for you, HowStuffWorks Play is here to help. Our award-winning website offers reliable, easy-to-understand explanations about how the world works. From fun quizzes that bring joy to your day, to compelling photography and fascinating lists, HowStuffWorks Play offers something for everyone. Sometimes we explain how stuff works, other times, we ask you, but we’re always exploring in the name of fun! Because learning is fun, so stick with us!

Get smarter every day! Subscribe & get 1 quiz every week.

Playing quizzes is free! We send trivia questions and personality tests every week to your inbox. By
clicking "Sign Up" you are agreeing to our
privacy policy and confirming that you are 13
years old or over.